Lot Essay
The published Naval General Service Medal rolls confirm Archibald Livingstone as an Able Seaman aboard the Euryalus for the Potomac action of August 1814, one of just 108 recipients of this clasp recorded on the Admiralty roll.
'While these operations were in progress, Captain James, in the Seahorse, 38, with the Euryalus, 36, Captain Charles Napier, and some Bomb Vessels, ascended the Potomac to Alexandria, to co-operate in the attack on Washington on that side, and after encountering difficulties that would have daunted almost any hearts but those of British seamen, owing to the intricacies of the navigation and the strong Batteries commanding the river, they compelled the surrender of Fort Washington, armed with 27 heavy guns, and of the city of Alexandria, and 21 Prizes. The Squadron on their return found the banks of the Potomac lined with men and heavy Batteries, thrown up to attack the ships; but not withstanding every impediment, the ships silenced the Batteries, some mounting 14 to 18 guns, and on 9 September, 23 days after quitting the mouth of the river, the Seahorse and her consorts arrived at their former anchorage. The loss throughout this arduous service amounted to only seven killed, including one Lieutenant, and 35 wounded, among whom was Captain Napier' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).
'While these operations were in progress, Captain James, in the Seahorse, 38, with the Euryalus, 36, Captain Charles Napier, and some Bomb Vessels, ascended the Potomac to Alexandria, to co-operate in the attack on Washington on that side, and after encountering difficulties that would have daunted almost any hearts but those of British seamen, owing to the intricacies of the navigation and the strong Batteries commanding the river, they compelled the surrender of Fort Washington, armed with 27 heavy guns, and of the city of Alexandria, and 21 Prizes. The Squadron on their return found the banks of the Potomac lined with men and heavy Batteries, thrown up to attack the ships; but not withstanding every impediment, the ships silenced the Batteries, some mounting 14 to 18 guns, and on 9 September, 23 days after quitting the mouth of the river, the Seahorse and her consorts arrived at their former anchorage. The loss throughout this arduous service amounted to only seven killed, including one Lieutenant, and 35 wounded, among whom was Captain Napier' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).